Teens and STDs

February 15, 2019
Grades 7-12 Hartman delivers a matter-of-fact, if somewhat clinical, appraisal of STDs and teen sexual health in this entry in the Teen Health and Safety series (6 titles). While there's little new information given on the disease front, the up-to-date statistics make this a worthy choice for collections needing an update. A hypothetical scenario kicks things off by illustrating how teens often feel reluctant to confide in adults or seek medical treatment for an STD for fear their parents will find out. Bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections are all covered, from symptoms (or a lack thereof) and dangers to treatment or disease management, as are the preventative measures of abstinence and condom or dental dam use. One of the more interesting statistics states that, in the U.S., people ages 15-24 account for one-half of the 20 million new STD infections that occur each year. The text attempts to remove the stigma associated with STDs by showing how common they are, while communicating the importance of educating oneself in the arena of responsible and healthy sexual activity. Extensive resources and source notes conclude.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)